The OSCE Foreign Ministers discussed current security challenges in Europe
02 December 2021 News
Current challenges to the security of the old continent and to the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were discussed during the annual meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm. Our delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Svetlan Stoev.
The Bulgarian statement emphasized the need for strict adherence to existing principles and commitments in all dimensions of security within the OSCE. Our country stressed the importance of finding sustainable political solutions to the crisis in Ukraine, which has a direct impact on security in Europe and the wider Black Sea region. Bulgaria praised the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, stating the continuation of the support from the Bulgarian side.
The consistent efforts of the Swedish Presidency to engage the OSCE on important issues of women's economic empowerment, climate change and environmental protection, were welcomed. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms was emphasized as a key condition for achieving comprehensive security. Human dimension is also the appropriate framework for adequately addressing the emerging challenges of today's digital world, characterized by increasing migration flows, discrimination, hate crime and mistrust. In this regard, concerns were expressed about the ongoing repression against the opposition in Belarus, serious human rights violations, and the instrumentalization of the migrant crisis for political purposes.
Bulgaria co-sponsored two side events - the human rights situation in Belarus and the Crimean Platform for Ukraine. Bulgaria's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine was confirmed, as well as our strict adherence to the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. Our serious concern over Russia's provocative actions in the Black Sea region was expressed, and our active involvement in the Euro-Atlantic community's efforts to preserve stability in Ukraine was emphasized.